United States Passport by Mike McCune / Flickr CC. 2.0
Most honeymoon packing lists include things you’ll need or want to take with you. But there are also five things that you should leave behind. Here’s a list of the things you should leave at home with someone you trust:
1. A photocopy of your travel information
That’s right. This includes the names, addresses and telephone numbers of where you’ll be staying. Documents to make copies of include:
- Passport ID page
- Foreign visa (if applicable)
- Itinerary
- Hotel confirmation
- Airline ticket
- Driver’s license
- Credit cards brought on the trip
- Traveler’s check serial numbers
- Travel insurance policy number and contact number
If there is an emergency, your family may need to contact you. Make it easy for them. Bring a second copy of this information with you, and keep it separate from the originals. If everything is lost or stolen, you’ll be able to get this information from your contact person.
2. 24-hour telephone number for your credit card companies
This way your contact person can give you the numbers to call in case of loss or theft. Make sure you get the correct number to call from overseas, as you probably won’t be able to dial an 800 number.
TIP: Before you leave, notify your bank, credit card company, or other financial institutions that you are going overseas, so they don’t put a hold on your cards when they see overseas activity.
3. The date and the place your passport was issued
This should help with getting a replacement if your passport is lost or stolen. This should be on the passport ID page (see #1, above).
4. A number where you can be reached
You should leave a contact number for your family in case they need to reach you in an emergency. If they are worried about your welfare while you are away, they can call the Office of Overseas Citizens Services in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (during business hours) or 202-647-5225 (after hours). The State Department will relay the message to the consular officers in the country where you are, and the consular officers will try to locate you, and pass on any urgent messages. See the State Department’s Traveler’s Checklist.
5. Any irreplaceable items
Because, frankly, when you’re away, do you really need to wear that emerald necklace your fiancée gave you for your last birthday? The fewer valuables you bring, the less stressful your trip will be.
